Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (25 page)

Originating in the mountains of France and Spain, this plant’s leaves are wider and rougher than true lavender, inspiring its species name which means broad leaved. Although its gray-blue flowers are smaller than its cousin’s, they yield about three times the amount of oil. The ancient Greeks named this lavender
nardus
for the city Naarda in Syria from where lavender was traded. The Romans called the plant
asarum
in the belief that asp vipers were often found underneath. Popular as a strewing herb, spike lavender was recommended for a number of medicinal purposes by herbalist Nicholas Culpeper.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam or water distilling the flower tops produces a white or pale yellow oil. It has a herbaceous, lavender-like and slightly camphoraceous scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Flowers

Warnings
: avoid use if you have epilepsy or other seizure disorder

176 Essential Oil Profiles

Lavender, True

Botanical Name
:
Lavandula angustifolia
, syn.
L. officinalis

Also Known As
: common lavender, English lavender, garden lavender, true lavender True lavender comes from the Mediterranean region and has narrow, pale green leaves

and violet-blue flowers. It was popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans for scenting soaps. Throughout Europe during the Middles Ages it was associated with love and thought to be an aphrodisiac. In addition, it was believed that carrying lavender gave a person the ability to see ghosts. In Elizabethan England (1558–1603) it was a popular strewing herb as well as a scent for linen cupboards. Soap maker William of Yardly knew a good thing when he saw it (or smelled it) and managed to get a monopoly on England’s lavender during the 1770s.

Oil and Blending Information

A colorless to pale yellow oil is produced by steam distilling the flower tops. It has a mel-low, floral-herbaceous scent with balsamic-woody undertones.

Strength
: 4
Scent Group
: floral

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Flowers

Magical Uses

All three lavenders enhance awareness and intuition for dream work, clairvoyance, and all forms of psychic work. They also foster concentration for clarity and inspiration in divination, contact with spirits, and communication in general. Use these oils to stay grounded and stable when engaged in spell work and elf magic.With well-known powers of purification, these oils are ideal for consecrating sacred space, releasing negativity, and providing protection. Associated with beauty and love, the lavenders promote fidelity and renewal in marriage as well as balance and peace in all types of relationships. Lavenders can assist in healing sexual issues where lust and desire cause emotional problems and sorrow. On the spiritual side of life, these oils provide strength and inspiration. Call on their powers of manifestation to attract prosperity, luck, and well-being to the home. The lavenders are also associated with courage, creativity, fertility, longevity, and secrets.

Essential Oil Profiles 177

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Gemini, Leo, Pisces, Virgo

Solar System
: Mercury

Celebrations
: Litha, Midsummer’s Eve

Element
: air

Goddesses
: Hecate, Vesta

God
: Saturn

Lemon

Botanical Name
:
Citrus limon

Family
:
Rutaceae

Used medicinally throughout Europe for a wide range of complaints, lemons were considered a potent cure-all and became standard cargo on British naval ships especially for preventing scurvy. In the 17th century they were an ingredient in Carmelite Water, an elixir produced by Carmelite nuns that was believed to promote health and longevity. Native to Asia and eastern India, this small tree has light green, toothed leaves and solitary white flowers tinged with pink. Lemon’s species name comes the Arabic
limun
.51

Oil and Blending Information

Cold pressing the entire fruit produces a pale, greenish-yellow oil with a light, fruity-citrus scent.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Warnings
: may cause skin irritation or sensitization; causes photosensitivity
Magical Uses

Lemon is instrumental in providing a clear perspective when preparing for divination as well as for dealing with everyday problems. By raising awareness, lemon increases psychic abilities, and inspires movement to a higher spiritual plane. Use this oil for moon magic as 51. Grieve,
A Modern Herbal
, 474

178 Essential Oil Profiles

well as to purify magic or ritual objects when they come into your life. With the ability to stimulate energy, lemon adds strength to and promotes success in spell work. It is helpful for connecting and communicating with spirit guides as well as manifesting abundance, happiness, and well-being. Lemon is also associated with confidence and kindness.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Cancer, Gemini, Pisces

Solar System
: Moon

Element
: water

Lemon Balm

Botanical Name
:
Melissa officinalis

Family
:
Lamiaceae

Also Known As
: bee balm, common balm, honey plant, Melissa, sweet balm

Known widely as Melissa, lemon balm is a bushy herb with square, branching stems. Its bright green leaves are often heart-shaped and its small clusters of flowers are white to yellowish or pink. From the Greek word for bee, Melissa actually calms and attracts them, which is why beekeepers often grow it near their hives.52 Lemon balm honey has been

highly valued since ancient times and was mentioned by both Pliny and Dioscorides who said it helped heal wounds. In addition, the herbal publication,
London Dispensary
, published in 1696 claimed that lemon balm strengthened the brain and memory. This plant is indigenous to the mountains of Europe and the Middle East.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the leaves and flower tops produces a pale yellow oil with a fresh, lemony, herbaceous scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves & Flowers

Warnings
: may cause skin irritation; may cause sensitization

52. Platt,
Lemon Herbs
, 1

Essential Oil Profiles 179

Magical Uses

Lemon balm is known as an emotional healer especially when a relationship ends. It

brings comfort and peace whenever there is sorrow. This oil is instrumental for awakening memories for past-life work as well as boosting energy for psychic work. Lemon balm

supports focus for dream work as well as connecting with spirits. Providing clarity for finding one’s true purpose, lemon balm also supports growth and longevity for carrying it out. Use this oil to attract love, money, and success. Its power of manifestation can bring about changes, encourage renewal, and increase vitality. Lemon balm is also associated with beauty, fertility, happiness, the mind, and sexuality.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Cancer
S

olar System
: Jupiter, Moon

Elements
: air, water

Goddess
: Kupala

The Lemongrass Oils

Family
:
Poaceae

Both of these plants are perennial grasses that reach about five feet in height. They have narrow leaf blades and flowers on branching stalks. Referring to the shape of the flowers, their genus name combines the Greek words
kymbe
and
pogon
meaning boat and beard, respectively.53 Both types of lemongrass have been cultivated for centuries for culinary and medicinal uses. Lemongrass is the familiar scent component in Ivory® soap.

Lemongrass, East Indian

Botanical Name
:
Cymbopogon flexuosus

Also Known As
: British Indian lemongrass, fever tea, French Indian verbena

Native to eastern India, this lemongrass is now cultivated in the western part of the coun-try where it is known as fever tea. Its species name means winding, referring to the way it grows in a zigzag pattern.54

53. Johnson and Foster,
National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine
, 228

54. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
, 53

180 Essential Oil Profiles

Oil and Blending Information

A yellow or amber oil is produced by steam distilling the leaves. This oil has a grassy-lemony scent that is lighter than its West Indian cousin.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Warning
: may cause skin irritation

Lemongrass, West Indian

Botanical Name
:
Cymbopogon citrates

Also Known As
: Guatemala lemongrass, Madagascar lemongrass

Native to Sri Lanka, this lemongrass is now cultivated in the West Indies, Africa, and tropical Asia. Its species name refers to its citrus-like scent.

Oil and Blending Information

The leaves are steam distilled producing oil that can be yellow, amber, or reddish-brown in color. It has a fresh, grassy-citrus scent with earthy undertones.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Warning
: may cause skin irritation

Magical Uses

Lemongrass brings clarity to prepare for divination and psychic work. It aids in contacting spirits and supports clairvoyance. Lemongrass is also useful in opening the gates of intuition and helping us learn to trust what we feel. Use it to purify amulets as well as to ground and center energy for magic or ritual. It is refreshing for the mind and provides focus for carrying out one’s purpose. While lemongrass is associated with lust and passion, it also supports fidelity. This oil is also associated with vitality.

Essential Oil Profiles 181

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Gemini

Solar System
: Mercury, Sun, Venus

Element
: air

Lime

Botanical Name
:
Citrus medica
var.
acida
syn.
C. aurantifolia
Family
:
Rutaceae

Also Known As
: key lime, Mexican lime, West Indian lime, sour lime

Well known for stocking their ships with limes, English sailors became known as Limeys.

However, this fruit was used medicinally for a range of issues and to prevent scurvy since the 10th century. Originating in southern Asia, this small tree has oval leaves, white flowers, and pale green fruit. The species name
aurantifolia
means golden-leaved.

Oil and Blending Information

Two oils are obtained from limes.

Cold pressing the unripe peels produces a pale yellow to olive-green oil with a sweet citrus scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Warning
: causes photosensitivity

Steam distilling the whole ripe fruit produces a white to pale yellow oil with a fruity, clean scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Warning
: causes photosensitivity

182 Essential Oil Profiles

Magical Uses

Lime is an energizing oil that stimulates the mind and aids in manifesting abundance and success. Use it for purification to consecrate tools and to create a protective shield against negativity. This oil increases the effectiveness of love spells, and is especially helpful when seeking fidelity. In addition, its healing properties enhance vitality and well-being. Lime is also associated with confidence, friendship, and kindness.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Leo
Solar System
: Mercury, Sun

Elements
: fire, water

Litsea

Botanical Name
:
Litsea cubeba

Family
:
Lauraceae

Also Known As
: exotic verbena, May Chang, mountain pepper, tropical verbena

This shrubby tree from eastern Asia has pointed, oval leaves and small, lemon-scented, yellow-white flowers. Resembling peppercorns, the fruit is often substituted for pepper (
Piper cubeba
). The leaves, flowers, and bark have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Litsea is often employed as an alternative to lemongrass and verbena.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the fruit produces a pale yellow oil with a sweet, lemony-citrus scent.

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Warning
: may cause sensitization

Magical Uses

Litsea is not well known for use in ritual and magic, however, it’s a lovely oil that brings a great deal of potential. It aids in grounding and centering energy for ritual as well as increasing energy for magic work. Use litsea to provide strength for self-examination when dealing with emotional turmoil. Litsea lightens the heart fostering happiness, hope, and Essential Oil Profiles 183